Hi,

I have E280 and E220 that both came with 722.4 tranny. The 722.4 tranny always starts with 1st gear but I do prefer the style of older trany 722.3 that comes with bigger cylinder and older car i.e. 230E, 300E, E320, all W126, W201, etc. it starts with 2nd gear.

The reason why I'd like 2nd gear start is not for the car to go faster, but the "smoothness".

How can I modify the 722.4 to start with 2nd gear ?

Nobody knows ?

In some quarters, your proven ability to confound people into silence would be viewed as a desirable asset, and that thought should probably stop at this point.

Modifying the valve body to block 1st can probably be done, however it may be permanent, as was done with the 722.0.

Two alternate approaches come to mind: 1) Install a taller final drive ratio such that 1st gear ratio x new final = 2nd x current final. 4th then becomes a significant overdrive. 2) Install a 722.3 that starts in 2nd.

Smoothness is largely a function of the right foot.

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

The gear ratios were altered in the first gear start 722 series so trying to implement what you desire maybe less than ultimately satisfying.